Vanier residents rally against Salvation Army shelter to mark anniversary of controversial proposal

Paula McCooey

Updated: June 24, 2018

Residents opposed to the Salvation Army's plans for a new shelter and facility in Vanier took their message to the streets, marching through their community Sunday June 24, 2018. L-R Clodie Paris who lives nearby, say "its our village" and wanted to come out to support. Ashley Fraser / Postmedia

Vanier residents who say they’re worried about property values, crime and the overall integrity of their neighbourhood held a rally Sunday to mark the anniversary of the Salvation Army’s proposal for a controversial new homeless shelter on Montreal Road.

Plans for the 350-bed facility, which was proposed last year and approved by city council in November, are currently stalled pending an appeals process at a provincial tribunal.

SOS Vanier, a local group that has waged a campaign against the shelter that now includes the appeal to the Ontario Municipal Board, repeated its message Sunday that the city should be building more affordable housing for women and families, not creating an “urban ghetto.”

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Photos: SOS Vanier March/Sunday, June 24, 2018

Residents opposed to the Salvation Army's plans for a new shelter and facility in Vanier took their message to the streets, marching through their community Sunday June 24, 2018. Ashley Fraser/PostmediaAshley Fraser/Postmedia

Residents opposed to the Salvation Army's plans for a new shelter and facility in Vanier took their message to the streets, marching through their community Sunday June 24, 2018. L-R Clodie Paris who lives nearby, say "its our village" and wanted to come out to support. Ashley Fraser/Postmedia

Residents opposed to the Salvation Army's plans for a new shelter and facility in Vanier took their message to the streets, marching through their community Sunday June 24, 2018. Randall Bartlett has his daughter four-year-old Sylvia on his shoulders before the march began. Ashley Fraser/Postmedia

Residents opposed to the Salvation Army's plans for a new shelter and facility in Vanier took their message to the streets, marching through their community Sunday June 24, 2018. Six-year-old Hazel Bartlett holds a sign saying no mega shelters in Vanier! Ashley Fraser/Postmedia

Residents opposed to the Salvation Army's plans for a new shelter and facility in Vanier took their message to the streets, marching through their community Sunday June 24, 2018. L-R Shirley Ruda and Clodie Paris who both live nearby, say "its our village" and they wanted to come out to support it. Ashley Fraser/Postmedia

Residents opposed to the Salvation Army's plans for a new shelter and facility in Vanier took their message to the streets, marching through their community Sunday June 24, 2018. Six-year-old Hazel Bartlett holds a sign saying no mega shelters in Vanier! Ashley Fraser/Postmedia

Residents opposed to the Salvation Army's plans for a new shelter and facility in Vanier took their message to the streets, marching through their community Sunday June 24, 2018. Mathieu Fleury Ottawa city councillor of Rideau-Vanier took part in the march Sunday. Ashley Fraser/PostmediaAshley Fraser/Postmedia

Residents opposed to the Salvation Army's plans for a new shelter and facility in Vanier took their message to the streets, marching through their community Sunday June 24, 2018. L-R Bruce McConville, campaign co-ordinator, SOS Vanier and Drew Dobson founder of SOS Vanier and the owner of Finnigan's Pub. Ashley Fraser/Postmedia

Residents opposed to the Salvation Army's plans for a new shelter and facility in Vanier took their message to the streets, marching through their community Sunday June 24, 2018. Mathieu Fleury Ottawa city councillor of Rideau-Vanier took part in the march Sunday. Ashley Fraser/Postmedia

Residents opposed to the Salvation Army's plans for a new shelter and facility in Vanier took their message to the streets, marching through their community Sunday June 24, 2018. Ashley Fraser/PostmediaAshley Fraser/Postmedia

About 100 people gathered next to the Concorde Motel on Montreal Road, which will be the site of the shelter if plans go ahead.

Many area residents held signs that read “No Mega Shelters in Vanier,” drawing support from drivers passing by.

Dan Dorner, 68, who moved into the area eight months ago from overseas, says he likes the central location of Vanier, but he has concerns about the impact the shelter will have on day-to-day life and the price of his home.

“I just think there will be many more people on the streets … and we do frequent businesses along here, bakeries and the pharmacy and so on, and it will have a big impact on them,” Dorner said.

Marc Provost, the executive director of the Salvation Army Booth Centre, has previously predicted, that despite the backlash the proposal has drawn, Vanier residents will eventually view the complex as a positive addition to their community. “Once they see the reality of it, once they see the families are going there and coming out with bags of toys and things are OK and that people are getting help and that people are getting housed, once they see the reality of it, they’ll be, ‘This is good. This is good,’” he said during the fierce public debate about the project last year.

Sunday’s short protest included a one-kilometre march along Montreal Road, ending at River Rain Park, where the group held a barbecue.

SOS Vanier supporters are aiming to raise between $200,000 and $250,000 to cover their legal costs, and so far say they’ve raised around $140,000.

Area councillor Mathieu Fleury, who has opposed to the Salvation Army’s approach to the model and the location, joined the residents on the Sunday walk while pushing his young son in a stroller.

Fleury said he is working closely with Vanier MP Mona Fortier and MPP Natalie Des Rosiers to set up a meeting with the Salvation Army’s national office; and also to meet with federal ministers in charge of the national housing strategy to discuss how that program’s funding will support municipalities.

“We are looking forward to the appeal and we believe we have a strong case at the Ontario Municipal Board. That will be in 18 to 24 months the OMB should hear us, but during that period nothing can be done.”

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